Today's average American conservative on poverty... maybe a whole lot of Americans really though

[KentuckyWoman]

5. I am not poor but I am also not rich.

My outlook on poverty is can't afford all the basic necessities in any given moment.

I have a roof even though it's nothing fancy. I have mostly inexpensive basics in the pantry and the freezer, but having more food than I can eat today is not poor. I am a minimalist on clothing but I have 3 jammies and 4 shoes and I feel pretty rich in that regard - since I certainly can't wear all those shoes at one time.

I've got some savings that took me 60+ years to cobble together for old age. A tight budget to be sure... but there's some money out there in a credit union helping some young person get started in life and earning a little bit of interest. I feel rich in that regard too.

Thanks to Medicare I can afford a doctor when I need it, but one expensive illness and the frugality of a lifetime all goes away. I will hope one of the nieces takes me and all 4 pairs of my shoes in.